It's great that you have a display case, I build them, take some pictures and then pack them up in totes or specially made boxes. I pulll them out for contests and then pack them away again. At least I keep the dust off of them this way.
I agree, Monogram and their bombers during the 1970's and 80's were such good times. Like you I have a stash, three B-17's (one is the HK Models), no B-24's I have the new B-24J by Hobby Boss on pre-order from Andy's Hobby. He previewed it yesterday on his Youtube Channel
Andy Previews Hobby Boss 1/48 B-24J . I love the B-24 so as soon as I finished my build of "The Squaw/Sleepy" I started on "The Blue Streak" and I wouldn't be surprised if I tore into this J kit right after to build "Sunshine".
I have a hard time following on this particular site, but I would love to follow your build of your B-29 when you begin. It is such a good kit except for the canopy fit. I have posted a couple pictures of "The Squaw/Sleepy". I am pretty happy with the way it turned out, but have hopes to improve with "The Blue Streak" build.
Man, that's NICE!!! Love the desert "pink". Do tell what you used. Such a difficult color to replicate and from the pics, it looks outstanding!
Waaaaait a doggone minute......Hobby Boss is releasing a 1/48 B-24J? Jeez Louise.....depending on how stupid the price will be (and it'll probably be pretty stupid), I'll still build my Monogram kits I have on hand and then see about spending too much on that kit!
It might be a few months before I start the B-29 actually. I have 5 kits right now "in progress" and 4 more next in line BUT I could move the B-29 ahead of them. I agree about the canopy fit and do remember that causing me to create some new words decades ago but my skill set has also improved a ton since then so I'm pretty confident I can make it work. Hell, you know darn well after building any of the Monogram 4 (or 2) engine kits from that era, you get pretty damn good at conquering shitty fit! Plus, those oversized rivets on the B-29 main canopy (the kit) are destined to get sanded off. That alone should improve the fit!
Again.....gorgeous builds and thank you for sharing the pics!!
*EDIT* Just watched the preview vid for the HB B-24J. Lots of good AND bad things as far as I'm concerned.
Plusses - A roof to the bomb bay. The Monogram kit is *very* wrong in pretty much every way regarding the bomb bay. I scratch built a roof to hide the wing spar(s) which helped a LOT.
I believe it has posable flaps?
Nice BUT not 100% accurate panel lines and rivets. While they DO look good, just because they're there doesn't mean they're correct.....which they're not.
Main wheel bays are a nice touch. The Monogram wheel bays are not that great but then again, who in the hell sees them?!
Overall, the interior looks pretty nice (oxygen bottles and overall details) but again........you simply do NOT see 90% of it once you glue the fuselage halves together so in reality, the 50 yr old Monogram kit would pass the test.
Minuses - Turret clear parts. Yeah, the old, moldy Monogram turrets are the same. Molded in halves, leaving a seam that's impossible to hide. I made mine look like a frame. Only a B-24 purist would notice but here we are in 2024 and Hobby Boss STILL molds them in halves? You gotta be freaking kidding me.
Rubber wheels.... Yeah.....'nuff said. NOT a fan and whilst I'm ranting, Andy seems like a genuinely nice guy but for the love of gawd......get someone who KNOWS aircraft and particularly the B-24 to do an "in box" review. He failed to show the tread pattern on the tires. I'd imagine they're wrong, but yeah.....
He also painfully "fluffs" over parts, etc. that he simply has no idea what they are. Maybe it's just late and I'm grumpy but c'mon man.....
Overall, I honestly think I'll pass. With a little extra work (scribing, riveting and doing a roof for the bomb bay) I really don't see this kit being a helluva lot better than the 50+ yr old Monogram kit. Kinda disappointing actually.....
Birdman, what you say??
So $150 retail and $120 preorder price. Man, I don't know...